NAVAL SUPPORT FACLITY DEVESELU, Romania (NNS) U.S. 6th Fleet Command Master Chief Richard O’Rawe visited Naval Support Facility (NSF) Deveselu and Aegis Ashore Missile Defense System (AAMDS) Romania, September 12-13.
O’Rawe began his visit with an early morning physical training session with the Chiefs Mess and chief petty officer selectees. He was also able to meet with the command’s triads, tour the base and have lunch and a discussion with several junior Sailors.
“Ninety percent of the mission on this base is carried on the backs of these junior Sailors,” said O’Rawe. “Getting to have an open dialogue and receiving candid feedback from enlisted Sailors is how we improve and get better as a Navy. It’s incredible the work these Sailors are doing here in Romania.”
NSF Deveselu and AAMDS Romania are co-located with the Romanian 99th Military Base and play a key role in ballistic missile defense in Eastern Europe. The installation’s operations enable the responsiveness of U.S. and allied forces in support of Europe, Africa and Southwest Asia’s (EURAFSWA) mission to provide services to the Fleet, Fighter and Family. O’Rawe, who previously visited the base during construction, emphasized the importance of its presence in the 6th Fleet area of operations.
“Persistent presence is key, and how much more persistent can you get than having this facility, an Aegis security system, in our ally’s backyard,” said O’Rawe.
During lunch, O’Rawe had a candid discussion with a group of junior Sailors touching on topics ranging from the blended retirement system to offering advice through his career and experience in the Navy. O’Rawe finished his visit with a meeting with the Chief’s Mess addressing concerns and wishing the chief petty officer selectees well.
NSF Deveselu was established October 2014 and houses AAMDS Romania which was operationally certified in May 2016. The base is home to almost 200 U.S. Navy Sailors and civilian contractors. They serve as the first operational Aegis defense command in Europe.
For more information of NSF Deveselu and AAMDS Romania please visit https://www.facebook.com/NSFDeveselu/ or https://www.facebook.com/aegisashore.romania/.